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Scutaro leaves after taking pitch off helmet

Scutaro leaves after taking pitch off helmet

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Scutaro struck in helmet 0:44

6/25/12: Marco Scutaro is forced to leave the game in the sixth inning after taking a Stephen Strasburg pitch to the helmet

By Thomas Harding
/
MLB.com |

DENVER -- Rockies second baseman Marco Scutaro left Monday night's game against the Nationals in the sixth inning after being hit in the helmet by a 95 mph fastball from Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg at Coors Field.

Scutaro was batting after Dexter Fowler had tripled to lead off the sixth. Strasburg, pitching with a 2-1 lead, hit Scutaro just to the left of the interlocking CR logo on his helmet.

Rockies head trainer Keith Dugger examined Scutaro on the field, checking for signs of head trama and testing the mobility of his neck, then informed Scutaro and manager Jim Tracy that Scutaro was not clear to continue.

A club official reported that Scutaro said he was "fine" after the game, and his status is day-to-day.

Scutaro was 0-for-2 before being hit, and is batting .276 with four home runs and 20 RBIs, mostly from the leadoff and No. 2 positions in the batting order.

Chris Nelson, who suffered a twisted right ankle on Saturday and didn't play Sunday, replaced Scutaro as a pinch-runner. The next hitter, Carlos Gonzalez, singled to drive in Fowler and tie the score at 2-2.

Strasburg has an intimidating fastball, but Scutaro was just the fourth batter he has hit this season. After hitting Scutaro, Strasburg gave up consecutive singles to Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyer.